Sanitizing presoak compositions

ABSTRACT

PRESOAK COMPOSITIONS FOR CLEANSING, SANITIZING AND DEODORIZING FABRICS SOILED WITH A COMBINATION OF ORGANIC AND BACTERIAL SOILS, AND PARTICULARLY DIAPERS, PRIOR TO WASHING ARE PROVIDED. THE COMPOSITIONS COMPRISE AN ORGANIC NCHLORO COMPOUND WHICH HYDROLYZES TO YIELD POSITVE CHLORINE, A SULFAMIC ACID COMPOUND, A POLYPHOSPHATE, AN INORGANIC BUFFER SALT, SODIUM TETRABORATE AND AN ANIONIC OR A NONIONIC SUURFACTANT. THE PARTICULAR ADVANTAGES OF THESE COMPOSITIONS ARE IN THEIR COMBINATION OF EXCELLENT STABILITY UNDER THE ADVERSE PRESOAK CONDITIONS WHICH NORMALLY CAUSE RAPID LOSS OF ACTIVE CHLORINE, AND THEIR HIGH DEGREE OF EFFECTIVENESS AS A PRESOAK AGENT.

trite 3,634,261 SANITIZIN G PRESOAK COMPOSITIONS Robert E. Keay, Higlitstown, N.J., and Russell R. Keast, Yardley, Pa., assignors to FMC Corporation, New York, N.Y. No Drawing. Filed Mar. 25, 1969, Ser. No. 810,338 Int. Cl. Clld 7/56 US. Cl. 252- 99 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Effective cleansing and sanitizing of organically and bacterially soiled fabrics is both necessary and difficult. Diapers are a prime example of this problem. They are worn by infants and young children who are highly susceptible to skin irratation, and therefore when they are soiled these garments must be sanitized as well as cleaned before reuse. The same problem exists with other fabrics which are subjected to organic and bacterial soiling, for example with handkerchiefs, towels, bedding and the like.

It has become fairly general practice for the homemaker to soak such soiled fabrics in sanitizing and cleansing solutions before washing them. This is partly a matter of convenience, but importantly it provides for more effective elimination of stains and odors from the fabric. For example, when soiled diapers, which contain a high level of bacteria as well as of other organic soil and stains, are stored in air or in an aqueous solution not containing an effective sanitizer, the bacteria react with organic matter to evolve noxious ammonia odors. Furthermore, during such storage stains frequently set in the diaper and become very difficult to remove upon subsequent washing.

Formulators of products used in presoaking fabrics which are soiled with organic and bacterial matter are fully aware of the special requirements they face. They realize, for example, that not only must the product be capable of removing stubborn stains and odors while overcoming a particularly aggravated sanitizing problem, but that in addition it must be capable of retaining its sanitizing effectiveness over a substantial period of time. They realize also that the user does not want a product which creates odors on its own, or which causes excessive fabric degradation.

These requirements for an effective presoak product obviously are severe, and the trade has devoted much effort to their solution. Compositions have been provided which contain any of a variety of active chlorine, quaternary ammonium or active oxygen sanitizing materials. Examples of active chlorine products which have been used are chloroisocyanurates and chlorinated para-toluene sulfonamide, while perhaps the most widely used active oxygen compound has been sodium perborate. Compositions containing these sanitizing agents have been used as direct cleansing compositions and as presoak products. In the latter case, the soiled fabric is soaked in a solution of the compositions for on the order of 12 to 48 hours, according States Patent "ice to individual preference, prior to being washed with ordinary cleansing solutions.

While these prior art compositions generally have done an acceptable job, however, none of them has provided all of the desired characteristics of effective cleansing, destaining, sanitizing, odor removal and residual odor control during extended presoak periods. Accordingly, work has continued toward provision of more effective presoak compositions for soiled fabrics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION We have now found that fabrics soiled with organic and bacterial matter can be cleansed, sanitized and deodorized very effectively during presoaking with certain new compositions which are stable in use and which do not form odors or damage fabrics. Our new compositions contain as essential ingredients an N-chloro compound which hydrolyzes to yield positive chlorine ions, and preferably a chloroisocyanuric compound in an amount to provide in aqueous solution about 50 to 250 p.p.m. of available chlorine, sulfamic acid in an amount to provide an NH to Cl+ ratio in solution of about 0.5 to 5:1, and preferably of 1 to 1, 20 to 50%, and preferably 25 to 35%, by weight of a polyphosphate, preferably sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium tripolyphosphate, sodium pyrophosphate or potassium pyrophosphate, 20 to 40%, and preferably 25 to 35%, by weight of sodium tetraborate having an Na O to B 0 ratio of about 1 to 2.5 and having 1 to 5 moles of water of hydration, 0 to 40%, and preferably 25 to 35%, by weight of an inorganic buffer salt, preferably an alkali metal bisulfate, and about 2.5 to 10% by weight of an anionic or nonionic surfactant.

These compositions are particularly effective when used in a presoak solution in which the soiled fabric article, preferably but not necessarily after a simple rinse in cold water, is soaked at room temperature in the solution for about 12 to 48 hours before being washed in any useful soap or detergent washing solution. Alternatively, the compositions may be used in ordinary washing cycles, for example in a home automatic clothes washer, in commercial laundry equipment or by hand. These compositions are particularly effective when used at ambient temperature, although they are effective at a temperature as high as 140 F.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The organic N-chloro compound is included in our compositions as a source of available chlorine, which preferably should be present in the amount of about to parts per million (p.p.m.) in the sanitizer bath for best germicidal effectiveness. Obviously it is possible to depart from this available chlorine level to a reasonable extent while still providing satisfactory sanitization, and in this connection often the bath may contain about 50 to 250 ppm. of available chlorine. However, in the event too little available chlorine (less than about 50 ppm.) is employed insufficient sanitizing occurs, while if too much available chlorine (above about 250 ppm.) is present, chlorine odor may become a problem both in the bath and on the rinsed product. Generally speaking the N-chloro compound when employed in the amount of about 1 to 15% by weight, depending on the available chlorine content of the particular compound, in our compositions provides the desired amount of available chlorine in the sanitizer bath.

The chloroisocyanurates, including the sodium and potassium dichloroisocyanurates as well as trichlorocyanuric acid and complexes of potassium dichloroisocyanurate and trichloroisocyanuric acid, are the preferred N-chloro compounds for use in our compositions. The preferred complex is that which is composed of 4 moles of the potassium salt and 1 mole of the trichloroisocyanuric acid. The chloroisocyanurates generally may be used, provided they are stable and sufficiently soluble in water to dissolve at the levels used. Other useful N-chloro compounds include 1, 3-dichloro 5,5 dimethylhydantoin, N-monochloro-C,C- dimethylhydantoin, methylene-bis-(N-chloro-C,C-dimethylhydantoin), 1,3 dichloro-S-methyl-S-isobutylhydantoin, 1,3 dichloro 5 methyl-S-ethylhydantoin, 1,3-dichloro- 5,5 diisobutylhydantoin, 1,3-dichloro-5-methyl-5-n-amylhydantoin, sodium p-toluene sulfonchloramide,

C H NClNa and HOOCC H SO NCI The sulfamic acid is employed in sufficient quantity to provide an NH to C1 ratio of about 0.5 to 5.0:1, and preferably of 1:1 in a presoak solution. It may be introduced as such or as a watersoluble N-alkyl sulfamic acid derivative such as N-methyl sulfamic acid or N-ethyl sul famic acid. The alkyl groups in the useful N-alkyl sulfamic acid derivatives have 1 to 4 carbon atoms; only one such group should be present on the molecule. Use of an excess of sulfamic acid will not deleteriously affect the useful properties of the presoak composition.

The sulfamic acid functions as a stabilizer in cooperation with the other ingredients of our composition to limit undesirable chlorine odor and chlorine decomposition, and thereby permits retention of sufiicient chlorine during the presoak period to provide proper sanitizing. It is significant that available chlorine stabilizers used in other kinds of compositions, for example, urea or urea derivatives such as 1,3-dimethyl urea, are not effective in providing proper stabilization against undue loss of available chlorine in the presence of organic and bacterial soils such as encountered in soiled diapers. It is quite surprising that our sulfamic acid has the required stabilizing effectiveness, when it is realized that presoak solution used to treat soiled diapers come into prolonged contact with a number of chemicals which normally destroy the effectiveness of germicidally active sanitizers.

The alkali metal polyphosphates are employed in our compositions as builders which enhance their detergency and cleansing effect. They are generally employed in the amount of 20 to 50%, and preferably 25 to 35%, by weight of the composition, although slightly more or less of this ingredient may be utilized without serious disadvantage. Useful polyphosphates include the sodium and potassium tripolyphosphates and the sodium and potassium pyrophosphates, as well as other alkali metal polyphosphate detergent builders.

The sodium tetraborate employed in our composition is a material having an Na O to B ratio of about 1:225, and which contains 1 to moles of hydrated water. It is employed in the amount of about to 40%, and preferably to by weight of the composition. The tetraborate, in cooperation with the other ingredients of our composition, is effective in improving rinsability or draining.

The inorganic buffer salts, that is salts of strong inorganic acids which have an acid reaction in aqueous solution, employed in our compositions include the alkali met- 11 bisulfates, preferably sodium bisulfate or potassium Jisulfate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, monosodium phosphate, or combinations of such buffer salts. These materials provide pH control in the composition, and generally are employed in the amount of 0 to and preferably 25 to 35%, by weight of the composition. These materials are useful in that our compositions, which employ ;ulfamic acid together with a chlorine compound, should lave an essentially neutral pH (between about 6.0 and 7.5) for maximum chlorine solution stability. Even ab- ;ent a buffer salt, however, our compositions have reasontble and useful stabilities under presoak conditions.

A low-foaming anionic or nonionic surfactant is employed in our composition in the amonut of 2.5 to 10% by Weight. Preferably 5% by weight is used in the case of the anionic surfactant, while 7.5% by weight is preferred when a nonionic surfactant is employed.

Anionic surfactants are preferred. Their use in combination with borates provides especially good rinsability of soaked and washed diapers and improves the sanitizing action of chlorine. Nonionic surfactants also give satisfactory performance in our compositions, however.

Anionic surface active agents useful herein are non-soap synthetic detergents, including those which are made up of Water-soluble salts and organic sulfuric reaction products having from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the form of an alkyl radical within the molecular structure and containing sulfuric or sulfonic acid ester radicals. Typical examples of these anionic surface active agents are sodium or potassium alkyl benzene sulfonates in which the alkyl group contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms, e.g., sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate and sodium tridecyl benzene sulfonate; the sodium and potassium alkyl glycerol ether sulfonates, including esters of high fatty alcohols derived from the reduction of coconut oils; the reaction products of higher fatty acids, e.g. coconut oil with sodium or potassium isethionate; sodium or potassium alkyl sulfonates and sulfates obtained by sulfonation of coconut or tallow fatty alcohols and mixtures of such alkyl sulfates; dialkyl esters of sodium or potassium salts of sulfosuccinic acid; sodium and potassium salts of sulfated or sulfonated monoglycerides, e'. g., those derived from coconut oil; sodium or potassium salts of higher fatty alcohol esters of sulfocarboxylic acids, e.g., sodium salt of lauryl alcohol ester of sulfoacetic acid; and other anionic agents set forth in US. Pat. 2,486,921 issued to Byerly on Nov. 1, 1949. If desired, the anionic surfactant can be added in the form of a dense, dry bead or as a flake admixed with sodium sulfate.

Examples of other useful anionic non-soap synthetic detergents are acyl sarcosinates, e.g., sodium N-lauroyl sarcosinate. The sodium alkyl benzene sulfonates in which the alkyl group contains about 9 to about 15 carbon atoms are preferred in the practice of this invention.

Nonionic surface active agents useful in the present invention are non-soap synthetic detergents including those made up of a Water-solubilizing polyoxyethylene group in chemical combination with an organic hydrophobic compound. Among the hydrophobic compounds which can be used are polyoxypropylene, the reaction product of propylene oxide and ethylene diamine, aliphatic alcohols, etc. Examples of nonionic synthetic detergents useful in the present invention are, condensation products of 6 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide, and preferably 7 to 11 moles, with 1 mole of an alkyl phenol containing 6 to 12 carbon atoms in the alkyl group; condensation products of 6 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide with 1 mole of an aliphatic straight or branched chain alcohol containing 8 to 18 carbon atoms; condensation product of ethylene oxide and the reaction product of propylene oxide and ethylene diamine; nonyl phenol polyethoxy ethanol (commercially known as Triton N series); isooctyl phenol polyethoxy ethanol (commercially known as Triton X series).

Another well known group of nonionic detergents is known under the trade name of the Pluronic series. These compounds are the reaction products obtained by condensing ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base produced by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol, and having molecular weights on the order of about 1800. The addition of polyoxyethylene radicals to the hydrophobic base, increases the water solubility of the nonionic detergent and concurrently increases the foaming properties of the detergent in aqueous solution in proportion to the mole ratio of polyoxyethylene radicals to the hydrophobic base. In general, a surfactant which has a mole ratio of 7.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of an alkyl phenol, e.g., nonyl phenol, is low-foaming while one with a mole ratio of 10:1 foams moderately. The molecular weight of these nonionic synthetic detergents will range from as low as 800 up to about 11,000.

Nonionic surfactants which meet these requirements also include the low alkyl ethers of polyoxyethylated octylphenols such as those sold under the Triton CF trade solution of our composition containing about 50 to 200 name, for example Triton CF54 which is the butyl p.p.m. of available chlorine for any desired presoak ether of polyoxyethylated octylphenol; an alkyl ether of period, usually about 12 to 48 hours, following which it polyoxyethylated alkanol such as Surfactant DF-l2, is washed with an ordinary soap or detergent solution. The polyoxyalkylene glycols having a plurality of alternating stability of our compositions is such that the solution does hydrophobic and hydrophilic polyoxyalkylene chains, the not lose suflicient available chlorine to become ineffective, hydrophilic chains consisting of linked oxyethylene radidespite the aggravated conditions of such a soak.

cals and the hydrophobic chains consisting of linked oxy- Alternatively, the soiled fabric with or without a prepropylene radicals, said product having three hydrophobic soak may be washed in an ordinary washing cycle in a chains linked by two hydrophilic chains, the central hydrosolution of our composition containing about 50 to 250 phobic chain constituting 30% to 34% by weight of the p.p.m. of available chlorine, empolying either a hand product, the terminal hydrophobic chains together conwash, an automatic home washer or commercial laundry stituting 31% to 39% by weight of the product, the equipment. These solutions may be used at ambient tem linking hydrophilic chains together constituting 31% to peratures, although such operations are usually conducted 35% by weight of the product, the intrinsic viscosity of at about 120 to 140 F. in washing cycles.

the product being from about 0.06 to 0.09 and the molec- The ingredients of our compositions are blended in any ular weight of the product being from about 3000 to equipment which provides mixing, for example inapaddle 5000, all as described in US. Pat. 3,048,548; the alkyl mixer, a Hobart mixer, a Patterson-Kelly Twin Shell polyoxyalkylene ether alcohols based on straight chain blender, or the like, to provide a uniform and homogenous biodegradable hydrophobic segments, for example Trecomposition. Preferably the polyphosphate and sulfamic tolite H-0307-S and, the water soluble benzyl ether of acid are blended together, followed by the tetraborate,

octylphenol condensed with ethylene oxide. Other n nbuffer salt and surfactant in that order with the N-chloro ionic surfactants are suitable for use in the herein prepacompound being added last. In the case of liquid surrations and it is not intended to exclude any surfactant factants, these surfactants should be taken up on the possessing the above properties. polyphosphate and tetraborate prior to addition of the re- The nonionic surfactants particularly useful in the heremaining components as given above.

in compositions are the nonionic surfactants resisted to Our compositions are highly stable in storage, although the action of available chlorine, especially those having of course when they are exposed to excessive amounts of the following formula: moisture the N-chloro compound reacts to release availa- R(QC2H,)XQR' 3 ble chlorine. Accordingly, it is desirable to store them in containers which have some provision for keeping out excessive moisture, for example in pasteboard cartons with a moisture barrier wrapping or in fiber drums with poly ethylene or other water-proof liners.

The following examples are given by way of illustration of this invention only, and are not to be considered as limiting the scope thereof in any way. The compositions of these examples were prepared by blending the ingredients in a paddle mixer in the order given above until uniform, homogeneous compositions resulted.

in which R is an alkaryl group in which the alkyl group has 6 to 13 carbon atoms or an alkyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, x is 10 to 18, and R is an alkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms. The preferred agents are those in which R is an alkyl 35 phenylene group in which the alkyl group has 8 to 9 carbon atoms, x is 10 to 18 and R is an alkyl group having 3 to 7 carbon atoms or is a benzyl group.

The compositions of our invention generally are used in the amount of about /4 to 1% ounces per gallon (1.87 to 9.37 grams per liter) of water, and preferably /2 ounce per gallon (3.75 grams per liter) of water, and T BLE I.EXAMPLES 1 AND 2 (THIS INVENTION) when so used provide a sanitizing bath contalning on the Examples, percent order of to 250 p.p.m., and preferably to by weight p.p.m., of available chlorine. 45 Component S dium tetraborate.5H O

Our compositions are useful m presoaking and saul- 3 tripolyphosphgfte tizing soiled fabrics by any of a variety of means. Preferagotligllnlijlcbililfate 11 a c t s bly, but not necessarlly, before being subjected to a solusoc-um? dichlomisocyanum tion of our compositions the soiled fabric is rinsed to re- Anionic surfactant 3 move excess solids and soiling liquids, normally at 1120 ambient temperatures. The soiled fabric, either with or 1 100 D-D.rn

without such a rinse, 1s soaked before being washed in a 3 Sdmm dodecylbenzenesulfonate (85% ac ive) TABLE II.EXAMPLES A-E (COMPARATIVE) Examples, percent by weight Component A B O D E Sodium tetraborateJOHzO 30 Sodium perborateAHzO, 12.7 'Irisodium phospha e, 3.3 Trichloroisocyanurie acid, 1. Sodium tetl'abofate-5H2O 30 Sodium carbonate, 75.6 QllBtQIIglS gmmonium 4 com- Chloramine T; 5.

poun Sodium tripolyphosphate 30 2'7. 8 Quaternary ammonium 2 com- Nonionic surfactantf 2.0 Sodium chloride, 30.

eund, 0.87.

Sodium bisulfate 3O 30 Ngniom'e surfactant, 1.0. Sodium sesqulcarbonate, 70.0.. Potassium carbonate, 10. Sodium dichloroisocyanurate 5.0 5.0 Sodium tripolyphosphate, 10.1 Sodium tripolyphosphate, 24.1-..- Sodiukm Eripolyphosphate, 32. Sulfamic acid 2.2 NaL S, 22. Anionic surfactant 1 5.0 5.0

1 Sodium dodecyl benzene suli'onate (85% active) ONa 2 Methyl dodeeyl benzyl trimethyl ammomum chloride, 0.7; methyl 5 l N OISE O dodeeyl xylene bis (trimethyl ammonium chloride), 0,2, CH S- 2 081116) OHZCHZ) 5 Sodium dodecyl benzene sullonate (40% active).

4 N-alkyl (60% C14; 30% 01a, 5% C12, m) di y benzyl ammonium chlori e.

The compositions of Examples 1 and 2 in Table I were evaluated for performance as presoaks for soiled diapers. In a general test, these two compositions were dissolved in water /2 ounce per gallon), and soiled cotton diapers were soaked in the solution for 24 hours. They were then washed in a standard detergent wash. The presoak eliminated odors and stains and prepared the diapers well for washing.

Diaper damage was also found to be negligible. In that test, after 24 and 48 hour soaks of clean cotton diapers in aqueous solution of the composition of Examples 1 and 2 /2 ounce per gallon in each case), the fabrics showed only slight fluidity increases. The test was run in accordance with AATCC Method 82-1961 and fluidity increases of only 1 Rhes units (24-hour soaked diaper) and 2 Rhes units (48-hour soaked diaper) were measured. These values are consistent with acceptable practice.

Representative compositions of Examples 1 and 2 (see Table I), as well as of Comparative Examples A-E (see Table II) were also tested for specific properties on soiled cotton diapers as recorded below.

Chlorine stability in solution TABLE III.-CHLO RINE SOLUTIONSTABILITY (Expressed as percent loss of initial available chlorine) Unsoiled Rinsed soiled Unrinsed soiled diapers diapers diapers Examples 24 hrs. 48 hrs. 24 hrs. 48 hrs. 24 hrs. 48 hrs.

Home use performance In a home use test, the compositions of various of the examples were performance-tested on naturally-soiled cotton diapers which had been worn by a young infant. Presoak solutions containing /2 ounce per gallon of the compositions of Examples I and A were used while 3 tablespoons per gallon of the Example C solution was used and 1% tablespoons per gallon of the composition of Example D was employed. The amounts for Examples C and D were taken from manufacturers literature. Soiled diapers from which excess solids had been removed, were tested either as is or after being rinsed, as noted. The results of the tests are shown in Table IV which follows. This demonstrates that the compositions of Examples 1 and 2 of this invention provide an excellent presoak result, whereas the compositions of Comparative Examples A, C and D were deficient in one or another characteristics.

TABLE V.-DRY STORAGE STABILITY Percent loss of initially available chlorine Two weeks Four weeks Example permeable sealed b M I 20 0 B l 83 68 Samples in appropriate containers are capped with a piece of 2 mil polyethylene/paper laminate (moisture permeable), sealed with plastic tape, and stored in a controlled oven at 100=|=2 F. and i5% relative humidity.

b Samples in appropriate containers are stoppered with rubber stoppers, sealed with plastic tape and stored in an oven as described in (1).

Germicidal effectiveness The composition of Example 2 (this invention), was tested for germicidal effectiveness against a sodium hypochlorite control. The results of 24-hour contact time tests employing selected bacteria commonly found in diapers soiled by infants and each of a sodium hypochlorite control and the diaper presoak solution of Example 1, are given. The tests were run employing undiluted and 1:10 Eugon Broth (organic nutrient broth) solutions to simulate heavy organic soil load on germicidal agents.

TABLE VL-GERMICIDAL EFFECTIVENESS P.p.m. of NaOCl at pH 8.5 to which 0 p.p.m. available chlorine from example is germicidally equivalent after 24 hour contact time E. coli Lactobacillus S. aureus l The test media was an organic nutrient broth (Eugon Broth) used to present a controlled source of organic soil to the germicides, this simulat-ing the organic soil found in naturally soiled diapers.

Example Test medium 1 2 {Undiluted broth Diluted broth 1:10

The above examples, including the comparative examples, demonstrate the effectiveness of the compositions of this invention as cleansing, sanitizing and deodorizing agents for presoaking and washing soiled fabrics. The examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the compositions in treatment of especially difiicult articles, namely, soiled cotton diapers. They are equally useful with other cellulosicand synthetic fabrics, and with such fabrics soiled with other combined organic-bacterial matter.

The desirable properties of these compositions are achieved through the coaction of the various ingredients which have not heretofore been incorporated together into presoak compositions. Obviously, the above examples can TABLE IV.HOME-USE PERFORMANCE Odor formation Diaper appearance Diaper pretreatment Example Initially 24-11r. soak 48-hr. soak 24-hr. soak 48-hr. soak Treated both as is and after a pre- 1 None None None Slight stains, no dis- Slight stains, no disrinse. coloration. coloration.

Do A Chlorine do do do Do.

O N one Strong ammonia Moderate stains Treated only after prermse. 1% do o "go Dry storage stability The composition of Examples 1 and B, the latter being a comparative example, were tested for dry storage stability. The results, given as percent loss of initial availbe multiplied to show the effectiveness of a variety of compositions within the scope of this invention,

1 2 See Table V.

What is claimed is:

1. A composition for cleansing, sanitizing and deodorizing fabrics soiled with organic and bacterial matter, consisting essentially of an organic N-chloro compound which hydrolyzes to yield positive chlorine ions in an amount to provide in aqueous solution 50 to 250 parts per million of available chlorine, sulfamic acid in an amount to provide an NH to Cl+ ratio in solution of about 0.5 to 5:1, 20 to 50% by weight of an alkali metal polyphosphate, 20 to 40% by weight of sodium tetraborate having an Na O to B of about 1 to 2.5 and having 1 to 5 moles of water of hydration, 0 to 40% by Weight of an inorganic buffer salt of a strong inorganic acid, said salt having an acid reaction in aqueous solution, and 2.5 to by Weight of an anionic or a nonionic watersoluble surfactant.

2. The composition of claim 1 in which the N-chloro compound is present in an amount to provide in aqueous solution 100 to 120 parts per million of available chlorine, the sulfamic acid is present in an amount to provide an NH to Cl+ ratio in solution of 1:1, the polyphosphate is present in an amount of 25 to 35% by Weight, the sodium tetraborate is present in an amount of 25 to 35 by weight, and the inorganic buifer salt is present in an amount of 25 to 35% by weight.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,503,884 3/1970 Chirash et a1. 252- 3,177,111 4/1965 Larsen 252187 X 3,308,012 3/1967 Tobar 8109 X FOREIGN PATENTS 832,105 4/1960 Great Britain 25299 MAYER WEINBLATT, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

ITED STATES PATENT OFFHCIE I CERTIFICATE OF CQERRECTKQN Patent No. 3, 3 Dated 1 7 Robert E. Keay and Russell R. Keast Inventor(s) It is certified that error appearsinthe above-identified patent and that said Letters-Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 72 "amonut" should read -amount.

Column 5, "Fable II footnote 2 "0,2" should read -0.2.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents F ORM PO-105O (IO-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 0 us. GOVERNMENT Pnlunuc ornc: 7 won 0-3664 UNITED STATES PATENT oFMcE v CERTIFICATE 0F C(DRRIECTWN Patent No. 3, 34, Dated /7 Robert E. Keay and Russell R. Keast Inventor(s) It is certified that error appear-sin the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 72 "amonut" should read amount-.

Column 5, Table II footnote 2 "0,2" should read 0.2-.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON 1 JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents ORM PO- 1 050 (10-69) U$OMM-DC 603764 69 us. eovnunuam mmnuc ornce luun o-anc-asa 

